Arsenal star ruled out of pre-season in injury blow

Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu will miss out on the club’s pre-season tour in the United States and will instead receive treatment for a knee injury, according to reports.

The right-back swapped Serie A side Bologna for Arsenal in the summer of 2021, becoming an integral part of Mikel Arteta’s backline. The 25-year-old made 30 appearances during the 2023/24 campaign, but struggled to shake a recurring calf injury and was often utilised as a left-back in Arteta’s rotating system.

Now, the Japanese international will have to wait before joining up with the rest of his teammates after being ruled out of their pre-season tour in the US.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the defender will remain in London to receive treatment on a knee injury. Kieran Tierney will also miss out after picking up a hamstring issue.

Arteta will be without Tomiyasu in the US / James Gill – Danehouse/GettyImages

Tomiyasu, despite being a natural right-back, became Arteta’s top choice on the left during the course of the 2023/24 campaign. He replaced the likes of Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior and Jurrien Timber, bringing balance to the backline.

Arsenal remain in the market for a left-back, however, and have been increasingly linked with Bologna star Riccardo Calafiori. The Gunners have reportedly reached an agreement with the Italian side for Calafiori and will hope to utilise his skill as a versatile player in the upcoming campaign.

Tomiyasu followed a similar journey in 2021, leaving Bologna to join the Emirates after impressing in Serie A. Neither defender will join Arsenal on their US tour, with new prospect Calafiori expected to join Bologna in Valles for a number of pre-season friendlies.